The Senate today gave unanimous approval to its two-year capital budget, which includes $490 million toward expanding broadband access across Washington. Sen. Mark Schoesler said the emphasis on broadband needs is especially important for rural parts of the state. “Insufficient broadband is a problem in 9th District communities and other...

A Democrat-sponsored “carbon cap and tax” bill passed tonight by the Senate Ways and Means Committee would punish Washington citizens and companies, argues 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler. The Ways and Means Committee voted 13-10 to pass Senate Bill 5126. Schoesler, a member of the panel, voted against the proposal....

The Senate today unanimously approved bipartisan legislation sponsored by 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler that would provide property-tax relief for Malden-area residents and other Washingtonians who are rebuilding homes damaged or destroyed by wildfires last September. Under Senate Bill 5454, passed 49-0, Washington residents who lost a home to wildfire...

Sen. Mark Schoesler has introduced a bill that seeks to provide relief for Washington employers who are facing the possibility of paying higher unemployment-insurance taxes as they also struggle with the effects of the COVID-19 economic shutdown. Senate Bill 5197 would adjust the calculation used to determine UI taxes. Much...

It can be a challenge for very small, rural communities to provide ambulance service for their citizens. A bill prime-sponsored by Sen. Mark Schoesler aims to make it easier for two tiny Whitman County towns, Garfield and Farmington, to continue providing joint ambulance service. Schoesler’s proposal, Senate Bill 5198, has...

Sen. Mark Schoesler will continue his long streak of serving on the Senate Ways and Means Committee when the Legislature convenes in January. The 2021 legislative session, which starts Jan. 11 and lasts 105 days, will mark the 17th straight year Schoesler has been a member of the budget-writing Ways...

By Sen. Mark Schoesler Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit our state earlier this year, Washingtonians have done their best to cope with this terrible disease, which has caused about 12,750 confirmed cases and killed 711 patients in our state as of April 23. During this pandemic, my fellow Senate Republicans...

After today’s Senate vote to pass a compromise 2020 state supplemental operating budget, 9th Legislative District Sen. Mark Schoesler criticized the plan for its sharp increase in spending. “The supplemental operating budget is supposed to make minor adjustments to the original two-year budget passed by the Legislature, but this budget...